Skinny Love

Chapter 51

When I think of a family get together I think of bright green grass, a picnic, kids running around, sharing stories and laughing... Er this was well, different.

We arrived at the country club at around ten like Mark had planned. No words were spoken about our conversation last night, I was still thinking about all of it. The country club was privately owned by one of Marks uncles and so his family was familiar with the space. Old family photos hung on the walls, only the finest silverware and whitest tablecloths. I was amazed, they must bleach those tablecloths every night and scrub that silverware until their fingers bleed. I took a deep breath as we walked in and through to the largest room they had set up. It had glass bi folding doors which were opened to the cement deck set with nice looking glass tables and black umbrellas. Teenagers were sitting at the outside tables talking up a storm and little kids and older guys played badminton. The adults and couples sat talking and eating salads that were set out before them. Mark guided me in and smiled. I'd heard him talk about these annual gatherings before but never knew exactly what it would be like to be there. People-even the teenagers and badminton players turned and stared for a moment as we walked in. I gave a polite smile as I pushed August's bulky stroller up to an empty table relatively close to the gossiping women and men. As I leaned down to unbuckle August an older lady walked up and greeted us, well kind of I was picking August up so I wasn't really looking at her. I straightened and August smiled and chewed her fist while waving. Mark was hugging the lady, he pulled me to his side when she pulled back and said "Gran, this is Noelle and-"he picks up August "this is your great granddaughter August." She smiled and August giggled. 

"Oh it's nice to see you." she shook August's little hand. Then she turned to me and unlike anything I expected she pulled me in for a hug. "It's nice to meet you two lovely girls, and welcome to the family." she pulled away.  "Now I'm going to need to confiscate the child, go show off your girl friend Marcus." I blushed and brushed my hair back from my face. I wasn't going to deny it, we were kind of a thing now, we did have August.  Of course his moth put on a smile but when she saw me her bitch face turned automatic. 

"Let me show you around."he says. Mark is guiding me towards the deck when I hear his gran...

"Janice, get over the fact you have to share your son, I didn't raise you to sit around and stick you nose up in the air. Now get over here and see your grand baby." It's then when I'm distracted that I notice Mark's arm around my waist. I don't want to say anything, being around his whole family made me feel like I had to put on a show. Were a happy couple with a baby. That's who I plan to show them. We've walked over to the table where four teenagers sat, two boys, two girls. I suddenly had the thought that I felt old next to them, like an actual adult. Suddenly he's introducing me and then them.

"Kris,"the blonde nods "Morgan," the brunette "Graham,"the younger boy "Quinn." the older one. 

"Hi." Kris offers. I smile.

"It's nice to meet all of you." I say. They nod, it's quiet a moment. Then, "So Mark, how come you've never told us about Noelle?" 

"Oh it's just Elle, or Ella. Noelle's too formal." I shrug. 

"I have told you guys about her." he pulls up two seats and we both sit. "She's been my best friend for years." the two boys exchange a glance. 

"Oh her." is all they say. 

"Well I for one would like to know more about you too." Kris says. Morgan hasn't said a word. 

"What do you want to know?" he sits back. Something changed in his attitude. 

"When did you two start going out?" she looks at me, in question. It's a game to her. 

"Last year." I respond.